November adventures continue and end on an epic note.

November continues and we have had lots of fun and adventures as usual.  Hailey and Emi are loving the potato sandbox.  Although trying to get them to keep the sand in the box is impossible and our whole patio is now covered.  Kids will be kids, as long as they are having fun. 

We continue updating the house.  Paint is a big game changer.  The house was previously a rental house for a management company and everything was painted white.  Bland and white...  We have had a hard time deciding on a color because the floors are brown with red tones.  Joel wanted to do a grey on the walls, but I didn't think grey would work.  We had a paint consultant come out and look at the house.  With her help and a wheel of colors to hold up to the wall we came down with a couple colors that we liked.  Agreeable grey- it has a slight reddish brown undertone.  City Loft-a light creamy color that compliments the Agreeable Grey.   By putting both colors in the room we can balance out the light and dark walls and make it look really nice without many people realizing there are two different paint colors there.  

Now just because we have the paint colors picked out and a gallon of each paint, that doesn't mean I've gotten it all done.  I usually get a wall or section done each week...or month.  The next project that I've been wanting to get done for a while is to recaulk the bathtub in the master bathroom.  There is black, either mold or dirt and junk.  It was time for it to go, especially since I want a clean looking area if I decide to labor in my bathtub.

November was my birthday and usually we don't anything big to celebrate.  Joel has been looking for pearl earings, but thought they had to have a particular backing on them.  Those backings make the piece expensive.  I found a pair of larger pearls that I liked and Joel had the perfect birthday gift.  Simple yet elegant and something I'll wear.

 Being pregnant this time around has been interesting since Hailey and Emi are old enough to understand that they have a baby sister coming.  When they were born, they were so little and nothing registered. They have come to all of my prenatal appointments with our midwife and love Tiffany.  Emi loves to help Tiffany find the heartbeat.  Sometimes they have babies in their bellies and we have to listen to their heart beats as well.  That has been interesting because each girl has a different tone and beat to their hearts.  I love the laid back environment of the office.  It's not sterile like other Dr offices.  It's like walking into a yoga studio/crunchy mama store.  Tiffany's office has a couch that she uses for most of the appointments.  There is a traditional Ob bench, but it's tucked behind the door and I've never used it for more than a place to set my purse.  There are pillows and pads and it's been great because sometimes after preschool and the long drive, Hailey or Emi are asleep and they can just lay down on the pillows during my appointment.

 The rest of the month has been spent playing of course.  When I get Emi down for naps and sit down to my sewing machine or serger, Hailey usually asks me to make her some type of dolly clothing.  That really tests my abilities but she's always happy with the outcome, no matter how imperfect it is. 

 Back in August, my serger started having problems.  I took it to a service place here in town and they couldn't really fix it.  I made a trip up to Grandpa and he looked at it and didn't have much hope.  Partly because we just couldn't get parts anymore for my old machine.  I told my mom and she kept her eye out for me.  She called and said she was at a sewing convention and had found a serger.  I looked it up and what she had found wasn't quite what I was looking for, but I asked if they had other machines.  We narrowed down that I already knew which machine I wanted...now to find it at a great price.  Well... they had a price that I just couldn't beat.  The next problem was how to pay for it.  It was $800 less than what I could find locally here I still had to pay for it.  Mom said she'd float me the money, and I had a serger on it's way.  Birthday and Christmas present all in one.  With an expensive serger just hanging out on the table, I figured I better make covers for them to keep little fingers and dust out. Joel and I have both had fun tinkering with the machine.  Joel wants to learn how to use it which has been fun.

 With all the fun that came, we were excited to have a mellow Thanksgiving.  We didn't go anywhere.  We didn't have anyone over.  We didn't even cook the turkey on Thanksgiving day.  It was still frozen in the deep freezer.  We had ham. :)  Once we finished the ham, we eventually cooked the turkey.  It has been nice keeping things mellow and just enjoying our small little, yet growing family.  Hailey liked the look of the big turkey leg but when it came to eating it, she found she doesn't prefer dark meat.  She likes the white meat. When we cook our turkey, we cook it upside down so the white meat doesn't get overcooked but comes out super juicy. 

 With two days left before November ends, Emi made sure it was eventful.  We were putting lights on the Christmas tree while Daddy was at work and all of a sudden Emi starts freaking out and scratching at her nose.  I calm her down and ask what the matter is.  She tells me she has a ball in her nose!  I eventually calm her down and find out that she's stuck a poof craft ball up her nose.  Joel was at school and I couldn't seem to get it out.  I called Joel and he came home but there wasn't much we were able to do.  We debated... Do we go to the hospital, the urgent care, hope it comes out on it's own, wait till tomorrow and go to the Dr?  What do we do?  Eventually she calmed down and fell asleep.  We figured that if she can fall asleep and breathe that we would wait till tomorrow. 

Tomorrow came and I called the pediatrician and they said they couldn't do much but I should take her to the ER.  I knew that the ER was a long wait and expensive.  I found an ENT on our insurance and called them.  Luckily they had a pediatric ENT and they would work us in as soon as we got there.  The paperwork and waiting took longer than the actual visit with the Dr.

I held her tightly so he could look at her, but in order to get the ball out for safety reasons we had to strap her on a boogie board.  I swaddled her and held her as the Dr used a suction tube to find the poof ball and then a hooked instrument with a nasal speculum to retrieve the ball.  Emi was not happy but felt much better after everything was over.  She got a sucker on the way out and it was almost as if she had forgotten the whole thing ever happened.  

Joel's Dad's Birthday memories

November 8th is Joel's dad's birthday.  It's a hard day for Joel so he does what he can to remember the good things.  Today he asked friends and family to write a favorite memory about Joel Smith. 

Paul Asay Camping when I was a scout, he could take on the entire troop and throw us out the door into a snowbank with a flick of his wrist!!! Good times!!

Janet Mollenbrink Missing my big brother too Patrick Joel . . . .probably some of my favorite memories were riding horses bareback and no bridles in the coral and chasing each other, or out in the hayfield playing cowboys and Indians. Being that I was younger I was a bit gullible, the brothers would shoot and say i got you and i would drop off my horse to the ground. Then i would say i got you and they would say you missed. Sheesh!!! Cattle roundup out in Red Basin and up on the Big Horn were always some of our greatest adventures. Oh and the so memorable hunting camp adventures were some of the best times I️ have ever had with both brothers. Yup, sure do mess that boy . . . . .love him so much!!!!

Cheryl Wilson Jolley After your dad passed away, Bruce took you to the fire hall to watch a big game between Denver and Green Bay. I had gotten an Elway jersey (traitor in my house haha) and was told how much you would love it. You were SO excited to get that jersey 

Hyrum-Tiana Johnson He helped me site in my first Rifle. I didn’t have a clue what I was doing and didn’t really have any adult to show me how. He took me by the hand and made me feel like one of his own. Your dad was a special man.

Ben Smith Oh, so many memories but one of my favorites is getting a loaf of bead and picking fresh tomatoes out of the garden and sitting around laughing while we ate tomato sandwiches. He loved the simple things of life! I sure love and miss him!! Love you too PJ!

Helen Kay Grant He loved everyone! He went on a pack trip with us when we took the scouts. He was always so fun! He was such a wonderful man! You are like him in many ways.

Robyn Sessions Smith Awww...love all these memories! I miss everything about him. Even the things that bugged me.  he did love everyone and he loved you and jaime the most. He was everyone's best friend and there was never a dull moment at our house. Paul I always worried about him and Steve Bassett taking the scouts out...cause he acted just like a 12 year old.  those times with the scouts were always some of his favorite memories.  Cheryl thanks for your memory. Pat was so excited to have that jersey and I still have it! Pat, your dad was very proud to be your dad. He loved spending time with you. And I know he is close and watches over us all

Randy Smith I noticed it was his birthday and wanted to touch base with you yesterday, but didn't get it done....I just remember how excited he was - like a kid in a candy store - when you came along! He couldn't wait to take you fishing! His family was everything to him! Hunting camp on the Bighorns - he was always playing a joke. His laugh! Oh, I miss his laugh! Playing basketball...he could shoot from anywhere in the gym. We always said that his range began when he crossed the half court line. That crazy form - shooting the ball clear behind his head. Love him so! And love you! I know how proud he is of you!

Myrna Smith Hammer He was a goofball and made every occasion fun! Sure miss him!

Shelly Walker Schultz I remember going on a temple trip over to Idaho Falls . In the Park he would slow down and/or pull over, roll down his window and stick his arm out and point to something that was not there! we would laugh and laugh and laugh as other cars would pullover behind us get out and start looking for something awesome. Then he would take off. he always was so much fun!

Dean Tippetts Hours and hours and hours of basketball! Loved every minute of it with Joel. Loved having you for neighbors, and loved being your home teacher. Mostly loved having you as one of my scouts. (Too many of those stories to tell) Happy birthday Joel!!

Francie Weekes Joel was always one of my favorite classmates. He was always smiling and we had a great time when he was around. I remember in third grade he was asked a question about his family. He knew his pioneer heritage and was proud of it. As we got older and more confident we could give each other friendship hugs! I do miss those hugs. We sure miss our loved ones and think of them everyday. This month it will be 17 years since Matt died. Patrick, thank you for being his friend.

Tana Smith Antoine One time we went over to Byron to watch a football game that Ben was coaching. Uncle Joel was on the inside of the fence watching the game. He reached over the fence, picked me up and lifted me over the fence like I weighed nothing. In my mind, he was undoubtedly the strongest man on earth! I remember even telling my friends about how strong my uncle was. Love you all.           

Georgette Lewis I remember the exciting day they brought you home-we were outside waiting for the car to come up the hill! Everyone was so happy-

Mare Dickson Oh definitely his hugs!

Craig Lundberg One night one of my friends and I were playing hoops in the church gym. Your dad and his buddy Dave Winterholler asked if they could join us. I think we ended up playing 2 on 2 for the better part of 3 hours. It was so much fun. I always loved the fact that he was still in love with the game of basketball and just loved to compete and play. That night is still one of my fondest memories playing basketball. It was just a fun time.

Jean Jones Marcus He always had something a smile and a kind word for everyone. I knew him as a teenager then when I move to Lovell I got to see him again. The one thing I can say is just home way to soon. I miss him too.

Michelle Thompson One of the nicest guys ever. I️ used to love watching him play church ball with my dad. I️ remember having an early morning breakfast at your house on a Saturday and he was right there with your mom cooking and making us girls laugh.

Wayne Hudspeth His bears hugs

Ella Pratt Mayes He was a great bishop! You knew that you could come to him with any problem and would not be judged at all, only loved unconditionally. He loved the game of basketball. I was there the night he passed and was still amazed by his skills on the court. Great man! He and my dad are probably hooping it up now or two of the greatest missionaries ever!!

Vicki Croft I miss that guy too. What a great man.  He sure loved his family. Happy birthday Joel

Cameron Smith I remember playing basketball with you and him in your front yard with your mini hoop that was part of your changing game table for hours!

Jaime Rae Luna Love reading all these awesome memories of my daddy! He was and is loved by so many. My heart aches every day for him. Just to get one more kiss and bear hug from him or to hear him say that I'm doing an ok job in life and with my family. I miss his trumpet noise songs he would make. I miss watching him play his love...basketball. I miss watching him comfort our mom in tough times and telling her how beautiful she was and how much he loved her. I miss watching him play and wrestle with you my brother and calling you PJ. I miss the last minute hunting and fishing excursions. Most of all I miss hearing his voice...he had the most beautiful singing voice! Patrick I'm so glad that you sing just like him. I know he is in a better place and I hope that every year that passes it will get better...the ache will be less but it's not. I love you so much Patrick Joel!        
  

Visiting Grandpa Clarke and Gma Margaret

 Joel has been working a lot lately.  We had asked for time off for a day before or after a weekend so we could all go up to Aurora to visit Grandpa Clarke and Gma Margaret.  They said yes and then changed their mind and he ended up working overtime that whole weekend.  I was stressed and needed a break and I really wanted Grandpa to look at my serger because the other store couldn't seem to fix it. 

So we left Joel at home and the girls and I went up.  The girls had a blast.  They were excited yet timid to give hugs.

The first thing Emi did was run to where Grandpa keeps his chocolate raisins and dehydrated apricots.  Then the both ran to the player piano and asked us to play the music.  Then they ran out the door and said, "We want to play in the shop!"   They love the kitchen and sliding down the banister.  I told Margaret the whole reason for the bannister being so smooth is from all the backsides going down it!  Hailey loved it and Emi eventually warmed up to it. 

I love that the shop isn't far and Hailey has developed the confidence to open the door and run over there herself.  If I can't hear Hailey or find her in the house, she's probably in the shop.

I had called Kelly Strand a couple days before and told her that she should come down and visit.  Even though she was busy and had many long late nights with the new boyfriend, she still came down.  It was a lot of fun just hanging out, playing and talking way into the night.  Kelly came down Saturday and left Sunday evening.

Dana and Lucy came down Monday mid morning and stayed for a couple hours.  It was a full weekend.

I worked with Margaret and we finalized a spelling of Brystol's name so we could embroider it on her blanket. 

The surprise came Monday morning.  Joel and I had been pretty stressed. He sent me a message Monday morning saying to call.  When I did it was strange because it was 730 and he should have been at work.  He called and said that when he woke up he had the impression that he needed to be up in Utah with us.  He ignored the thought and proceeded to go to work.  Once he got to work, the impression was even stronger.  You need to go to Utah and be with your wife and girls.

He was early to work as usual, so he told his main boss and called the others to say that he wasn't going to be able to stay but he had to leave for Utah.  It could have jeopardized his job, but he didn't care.  The impression was strong and his family was more important.  He drove home and grabbed food and clothes, forgot a change of underwear or toiletries... and left.

It was nice to have him up there.  It helped calm the tensions that had been growing.  There's always something about Grandpa's house that is calming and restoring.  We left Tuesday around lunch time and headed home.  One of the things Dana loves about Aurora is Ideal Dairy's ice cream.  Emi was toast and asleep before 5 minutes in the car had passed.  So we all stopped and got gas, then grabbed ice cream for the drive home.  Hailey loved it. 

Emi had a meltdown when she thought Kelly was leaving her without giving her a hug and a kiss first.

We were getting ready to go when we realized the stash of Golden Books on the shelf.  I read Hailey one and then asked Grandpa if he would read her one while I finished packing the car.  4-5 books later... :)  She loved it. 

This is how we keep the sun out of Emi's eyes while she naps. :)

This is how Hailey keeps the sun out of her eyes and still colors.

Oct Continues

Hailey loves playing in the piggy bank and making designs.

Selfie!

A month late, but we went and got pedicures for our Anniversary.

Memorial wall for Joel.

We went to Spring Mountain Ranch for a Halloween event.  It was nice up towards the mountains and there were many events aimed at the kids.  The girls tried bobbing for apples, arts and crafts, and a hay ride.  It was nice to slow down for a weekend.  We were out late and stopped to get food.  Amazingly we locked both sets of keys in the car and both cell phones.  It was a fun hour waiting in the cup cake shop til the the locksmith came and unlocked the door. Even though it was a slower paced day, we still wore everyone out.